Three die in morning crash on Route 2

Three people were killed this morning when the car they and two others were traveling in struck a tree on Route 2 near the Preston border, city police said.

Police said one occupant was pronounced dead at the scene and two of the remaining four died of their injuries later at the William W. Backus Hospital. Police said the two survivors are in serious condition at Backus. None of the victims have been identified pending notification of relatives, police Sgt. Michael Belair said.

The crash occurred at 8:23 a.m. in the vicinity of the apartment complex at 102 Stonington Road. Crews from the Norwich Fire Department and American Ambulance extricated victims at the scene.

Route 2 was closed for about four hours as police responded to the crash and conducted an investigation.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Norwich police at (860) 886-5561.